16 Days Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams

Puerto Williams is located on the Chilean island of Navarino on the southern shore of the Beagle Channel. The small settlement calls itself the “southernmost city in the world” – a title also claimed by the larger Argentine Ushuaia on the opposite side of the channel. The landscape around Puerto Williams is spectacular with wind-swept, snow-covered mountains. Particularly impressive are the “Dientes de Navarino” (Navarino Teeth), a striking mountain range with jagged peaks. This region was originally home to the Yaghan, an indigenous people of hunters and gatherers whose culture unfortunately disappeared after the arrival of European settlers.

During the travel days on the open sea, you have wonderful opportunities to recover, relax, and finally find time for all the things that often get neglected in everyday life.

The snow-covered black mountains and massive glaciers make South Georgia one of the most impressive natural islands in the world. In this wild paradise, animals come first, while humans are just visitors. The island welcomes you with a symphony of bird calls, the deep roar of elephant seals, and endless colonies of colorful king penguins stretching to the horizon. As a British Overseas Territory, South Georgia has a turbulent history. The abandoned whaling stations bear witness to the island’s industrial past. South Georgia became particularly well-known through Ernest Shackleton and his Endurance expedition – after a dramatic rescue operation, he reached these shores in 1916. A museum documents his legendary story, and you can visit his grave, where the famous polar explorer found his final resting place. In addition to the colorful king penguins, the striking macaroni penguins with their yellow feather tufts and the majestic wandering albatrosses with their impressive wingspan are also at home here.

Sailing through the legendary Drake Passage is an experience only few are granted. The southern tip of America already seems wild, but the distant cliffs of the peninsula known as the “End of the World” disappearing on the horizon are both epic and mystical. Set sail and let Cape Horn lead you into the icy underworld of Antarctica.

Elephant Island combines adventure, history, and the pristine beauty of Antarctica. This rugged island, mostly in shades of gray, is one of the most well-known locations on the Antarctic continent and owes its fame primarily to early polar explorers. The island probably got its name from the elephant seals that the first discoverers found on the rocky beaches. However, Elephant Island gained its historical significance in 1916 when Ernest Shackleton and his crew sought refuge here from the harsh weather conditions – a dramatic chapter in polar history that made the island world-famous.

The Antarctic Peninsula, pointing like a finger towards South America, is the destination of many Antarctic expeditions. It lies only about 1000 kilometers from Tierra del Fuego and offers breathtaking panoramas with snow-covered mountains and fascinating ice formations. This region was only discovered in 1820, and today it is a focus of scientific research. Numerous research stations here study the unique ecosystem and document human influences on this largely untouched continent. As a visitor, you can marvel at imposing icebergs, experience turquoise-blue shimmering glaciers, and observe thousands of lively Adélie penguins that live perfectly adapted to this extreme environment.

The South Shetland Islands are located near the northwest tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and are protected under the Antarctic Treaty. This island group hosts several international research stations and is home to diverse wildlife, including elephant seals and various penguin species. King George Island is the largest island in the archipelago and is often referred to as the “capital of Antarctica” as it houses the most year-round occupied research stations. Special experiences in this region include visiting Deception Island, where you can explore the impressive caldera of a dormant volcano. In Pendulum Cove, you even have the rare opportunity to bathe in naturally heated waters while surrounded by an icy landscape. Elephant Island holds a special place in polar history: It was here that Ernest Shackleton and his crew survived under extreme conditions in 1916 after their ship “Endurance” was crushed in the pack ice.

On the return journey through the famous Drake Passage, you once again experience the majestic wildness of this legendary waterway. As the cliffs of Antarctica disappear on the horizon, you gradually approach the southern tip of America again. This transition from the icy continent back to the inhabited world is a special moment – you leave behind the pristine Antarctica while the memories of its epic beauty are still fresh. The Drake Passage offers valuable time on the return trip to process the overwhelming impressions and reflect on what you’ve experienced before reaching civilization again.